Launch NY Introduces “Investor Network 2.0”

New Platform, New Deal Types Give Members

Better Online Access to Wider #InvestLocal Opportunities

 

Buffalo, N.Y.,  February 28, 2022 – Launch NY’s #InvestLocal Investor Network, which has provided nearly $1.2 million in funding to ten Upstate New York startup companies since 2020, has been enhanced, making it even easier for accredited investors to participate in—and potentially profit from—the region’s growing startup ecosystem.

 

New Deal Types

Investor Network 2.0 provides access to more #InvestLocal opportunities than ever before. Now, in addition to deals in early-stage companies within Launch NY’s investment portfolio, Investor Network members also can access deals in local startups that are often further downstream and therefore outside of Launch NY’s current portfolio, which includes companies typically funded at the seed stage.

 

Five deals are currently available through Investor 2.0 right now, including Launch NY portfolio companies Antithesis, Azuna and Eagle Hawk, as well as non-portfolio companies Circle Optics and Post Process.

 

New Tech Platform

In addition to the new deal types, Launch NY has partnered with fintech startup Venture360 to give Investor Network members a robust, easy-to-use and secure platform that simplifies startup investing—from reviewing new investment opportunities, including pitches, founder Q&As and due diligence materials, to monitoring and managing member investment portfolios—all online from their desktop or mobile device.

 

Nearly 200 accredited investors have already joined the Investor Network during its beta phase, and more than thirty have participated in 11 transactions in ten companies, with investments surpassing the $1 million milestone last November, and now totaling nearly $1.2 million.

 

Investor Network members can invest as little as $10,000 all the way up to six-figures in the entrepreneurs and sectors of their choice. Launch NY is continuing to waive its membership fee until it reaches its target of 300 total investors for its beta phase in the coming months.

 

“Launch NY’s Investor Network is the only online platform that exclusively connects investors with founders of up-and-coming startup companies in the 27 Westernmost counties of Upstate New York, giving investors the opportunity to make a profit while they help these companies—and their communities—achieve their high-growth potential,” said Marnie LaVigne Ph.D., President and CEO of Launch NY.

 

“The advancements we’ve made with Investor Network 2.0 demonstrate continued commitment to and growth in the capabilities of our #InvestLocal community,” said LaVigne. “York IE recently ranked Buffalo as the 5^th  biggest U.S. startup city by funding, and Launch NY’s #InvestLocal programs—including the Investor Network, its nonprofit Seed Fund and its for profit Limited Partner Fund—are a truly unique approach  to engaging diverse stakeholders in growing success of the a regional startup ecosystem.”

 

About Launch New York

The mission of Launch New York, Inc. (Launch NY), the only U.S. Treasury-designated Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) directly providing venture funding to businesses in New York State, is to identify, support and invest in high-growth, high-impact companies that can transform the local economy and catalyze the entrepreneurial culture in the 27 counties comprising the western half of Upstate New York. Launch NY is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit venture development organization that promotes economic development through best practices, including high-quality pro bono business mentoring, while operating the most active seed fund in New York State that provides access to seed capital as part of an array of #InvestLocal financing programs designed to facilitate funding for investment-ready companies which have the promise to drive significant economic impact and jobs for our region.

Launch NY is headquartered in Buffalo and has co-locations with partner organizations in Binghamton, Ithaca, Rochester and Syracuse. Since 2012, it has served over 1,324 companies, has more than thirty experienced local entrepreneurs-in-residence and its National Mentor Network of 2,000 industry, business and investment experts. Launch NY has mentored companies, including 27% women-led and 27% minority-led startups, which have created 4,547 jobs, attracted over $1 billion in co-investment and follow-on capital after joining Launch NY and generated over $159 million in annual revenues.

Launch NY’s #InvestLocal Financing Programs include a nonprofit fund, for-profit limited partner fund and Investor Network. The Investor Network includes opportunities for accredited investors to fund Launch NY portfolio companies of their choice for as little as $10,000 starting with a free sign up to join a community of over 190 members. Those funded by Launch NY’s nonprofit fund, started in 2016, include 77 portfolio companies comprising 31% women-led and 27% minority-led, have created 438 jobs, attracted over $85 million after receiving funding from Launch NY and generated over $35 million in annual revenues. Launch NY also leads the premier Emerging Cleantech Opportunity (ECO) Incubator, one of six designated clean energy incubators sponsored by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), as well as the Founders Go Big program, an innovative diversity and inclusion initiative introduced in 2020.